Ten witnesses testified or gave affidavits swearing that Volz was in his office in Managua at the time Jimenez was killed two hours away in San Juan del Sur. But one man testified that he had seen Volz in San Juan del Sur just after the time police believe Jimenez was killed.

That man, Nelson Danglas, was originally arrested for the slaying but received full immunity in exchange for his testimony against Volz. No physical evidence from the crime scene linked Volz to the slaying.

In addition to Volz, the same court also convicted Julio Chamorro of Jimenez's murder, although investigators did not connect him with Volz.

When the verdict was reached, a mob had gathered outside the courtroom chanting for Volz's conviction.

Volz, 28, was the publisher of EP (El Puente) Magazine, which he founded. E-mail to a friend